Open Mic

Spring break is about over and time is getting nearer for the return to the classroom and my students. During this time period, I think the students develop something like jet lag. The last five weeks of the semester can be the roughest in not knowing what to expect from the students. During the second semester of my first year of teaching, I was unprepared for the lack of school interests the students had after spring break. It was harder getting the students to focus on everyday school work all over again. Furthermore, the seniors got the disease, senioritis. But, I now believe I am better prepared to handle this lack of interest from students for several reasons. First, I have received some great information and guidance from the instructors at N.T.I. Second, it is my third year teaching and I am a little bit wiser. Third, there is a good deal of interesting material and projects offered in my program to maintain the interest of my students. This has been a jam-packed year of learning. Thanks to all the Instructors involved with the N.T.I. program.

The most important thing

The most important thing I’ve learned about myself as a STUDENT during the past three semesters in NTI is discovering that you can teach an old dog some new tricks. I thought that I had finished my education years ago and would be well into retirement at this point in life. Well, this old dog was totally wrong. Fortunately, I began a teaching career and became a student who is always learning new things. Although at my age, it took some preparation and groundwork on my part to focus on being a student again. Since being a student of NTI, I have learned how valuable the course has been in supplying information for me in my teaching endeavors. One main thing that I have learned is to be more patient with the students that I teach. I can now better understand and relate to my students’ because of my experiences during this course. I have decided being a NTI student this past three semesters has been demanding and challenging. But in return, I have gained and learned a great deal of rewarding knowledge.

Most Important

The most important thing I’ve learned about myself as a teacher in the past term/year is that I discovered I have a hidden talent. My role as a teacher has enhanced this hidden talent that I did not realize I possessed. This talent is my ability to be patience, have endurance, and tolerance in dealing with the younger generation. I had no idea how much a teacher had to cope with until this year. My first two years consisted of getting my feet on the ground and understanding the methods I would put to use in setting up my classes. This year seems to be different because I am dealing with students that have such a diverse background. I am dealing with more classroom problems than I did in my first two years of teaching. For the most part, I have been able to take care of the problems in the classroom with out having administrative involvement. My classes are better prepared now than in previous years mainly because of the NTI program. The NTI course has helped me to deal better with lesson plans as well with students’ behaviors that create problems in the classroom. Sometimes, I feel a little overwhelmed but overall I feel this has been a great year and I am looking forward to next year.

My school administrators

The most important thing I’ve learned about working with my school administrators in the past term/year is that they are a group of people who are very helpful and supportive. Each one of our administrators has been teaching for over twenty years. These administrators have invaluable experience and information from which I can learn or gain knowledge. I have been able to call upon my administrators for advice in matters that require more experience than I have in handling some students. Also, the administrators’ do everything in their means to help get what is needed for my classroom. I am thankful for the administrators at my school because they care about the teachers and the students within the school. Each administrator has different levels of experience that can be used to accomplish the many goals of the school. During my three years at my school, a principal and four administrators have been promoted to a higher status within the overall school system. I believe these promotions indicate that administrators at my school are a valuable presence and an asset for any school.

Important thing I have learned

The most important thing I have learned about my students is how easy it is to teach the students that want to learn, but how difficult it is to teach the students that have no interest in being in the class. The students that want to learn tend to be attentive, alert, and willing to work with others. The students that are in my class because it’s the only elective left for them to take can be a real challenge. I have been able to connect with most of my students in a way that makes teaching fun and very rewarding. I am working on different ways to encourage students not to be so negative about being placed in this class just because they need the elective. The majority of the time the student has a change of heart about the class. I enjoy teaching my students as well as learning from them. This has been a challenging year and one I am not likely to forget. I was told by other teachers that the third year is one of the most challenging. I must agree. I look forward to teaching for a few more years.

Developing as a Teacher

Last Friday, I gave a written test to my fourth period students. After the test, one of my students came up to my podium and asked to speak with me. Thinking it was something personal, the student and I went into my office for privacy. Since this is not a well behaved student, I was surprised that the student started apologizing for his bad class behavior especially during the first several weeks. He further told me that he has changed his whole outlook and attitude about the class. I questioned the student on why he had a problem with the class from the beginning. The student replied that he had heard the class was very strict and had a lot of rules. Since I do have many rules and restrictions, I asked him what had changed his mind about the class. Surprisingly, the student told me he had developed a desire to learn the course because of my ability in making the class enjoyable and interesting. The student further told me he would be taking the next two levels of the course.

Evaluations

I have completed and sent the survey.

Portfolio

I believe having a portfolio will be helpful in my professional growth. The portfolio will enhance my ability to show the education and experience that I have obtained. Therefore, this will let parents know that they are getting a qualified and competent teacher for the curriculum their children are taking. The portfolio is a way my principal could maintain knowledge on my background and qualifications. The portfolio is a good tool to use as a resume for future positions. I’m thinking about attaching my portfolio to my school blog as an example for my students to view. The students would then have a way to see my qualifications and expertise. Then, maybe my portfolio would be useful to my students when they continue their education, especially if they attend a career tech college.

Elluminate Live

First, you would need to know how many students would be in the Elluminate Live class. Then, you would need to get a user license for that many students. Next, everyone involved would have to down load the Elluminate Live program, and have the equipment needed to participate during the online class. You would have to make sure you had your lesson plans and power points ready to go. At least one meeting is essential with the students in person to go over the rules and to make sure everyone has everything needed for the class. You would need a rubric explaining the expectations of the class. Also, a syllabus is needed to let students know the dates and times of online sessions. In addition, plenty of tech support is good to have during the online class. I would want to instruct an activity on the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution. One activity on the topic could be open discussion. Students would choose one of the amendments. For example, they could choose the second amendment and open up the discussion by stating the federal laws that pertain to the amendment. Students would each have a time to discuss the contents of the amendment. Get students thinking by having them declare if they are in favor of or against gun control? Then, have both sides defend their views. Close out the lesson by having all students going to the teacher’s blog and give an in-depth account of their beliefs. This could lead into your next meeting online by having students rewrite the second amendment in the way they think it should be written.

Effect My Program

Three years ago when I began my teaching career, my mentor gave me some good advice. The part of his advice that I remember the most is to make sure you don’t get the guidance counselors upset with you. Therefore, your program will always have the cooperation and assistance that comes from the guidance counselors. The guidance counselors and I make every effort to work together to make sure the students get the courses they need to complete high school. My program has grown for two reasons. First, I strive to give the students the best I have to offer. Second, I work closely with the guidance counselors by taking students in my class that are sometimes difficult to accommodate. Guidance counselors have a large responsibility to the students, parents and teachers of the school they represent. The counselors at our school are true professionals and have help make my program a success. By interviewing a guidance counsler, I believe I will gain more insight on ways of making my program more effective for the students.

Rick Lavoie Videos

Since I have several learning disabled students in my classes, the Rick Lavoie was very enlightening and informative for me. The information from the video has helped me in dealing with each disabled student on an individual bases. I have seen both of these videos in classes I have attended in the past. But, watching the video for the second time has made this information much clearer. I use several of Lavoie strategies with my learning disabled students and I have had considerable success. After watching the videos, I have more patience and indulgence when dealing with learning disabled students. The main thing I have learned is the difference between disabled learners and handicap students. I believe the videos are very beneficial for all teachers to view.

Reflection on Fall Semester

My biggest teaching improvement during this past semester would be classroom management. I have been better prepared for every class this semester. Last semester, I would be looking for extra things for my students to do in concluding the class time. Sometimes, I would be fifteen to twenty minutes short before the end of class time. It was difficult for me to get the classroom time down to a specific time allotment. This semester has been totally different. I now have good lesson plans that fit the time allotted for the class. When I finish ten to fifteen minutes early, I have several student activities I use until the class is over. Therefore, one important learning subject that was worthwhile and useful for me was the lesson plans.

The aspect I need to keep working on is developing new lesson plans for a different course level that I will be teaching during the spring semester. During the fall semester, I had three levels to teach, levels I, II, III. During the spring semester, I will teach level I, II, IV. Level IV is a course that will require much research to make it fun and interesting. I will have to come up with enough lesson plans to cover the entire course. I know with the knowledge I have learned from N.T.I., I will be able to meet the challenge regarding these lesson plans.

Thankful Teacher

Thankful Teacher

First, I am grateful to have had a long career in law enforcement and making it to retirement. I am thankful for finding a teaching position in my field of interest and education after my retirement. When I started teaching on August 3, 2006, I had some misgivings about teaching teenagers in high school. Having been a police officer, I was more conditioned in arresting or putting criminal juveniles in jail. Definitely, I was not keen on teaching teenagers the pros and cons of law enforcement. But, now after two full years and one semester, I have discovered that teaching has become rewarding in many ways. I know I have made a difference in most of my student’s lives. I have discovered that students respond to you according to the way you treat them. I treat the students with respect and they treat me the same way. I may be the teacher but I have learned much from my students as well. The majority of the time, my students and I find class time pleasant and enjoyable. Therefore, I’m truly thankful that my transition from law enforcement and becoming a teacher has gone so well.

EDBT 4570 On-line

On-Line Learning

First, I think that on-line learning is the way of the future. I feel that I have gained a good deal of knowledge from on-line sessions this semester. I like on-line sessions because they are convenient and can be worked in with my busy schedule. The only disadvantage for me with on-line sessions is finding the time to complete the assignment when you are trying to keep up with your teaching duties and family life. Although, I rather do the on-line assignments than traveling to class which would be more time consuming for me. On-line sessions are good for my learning style because it gives me a chance to research and do the assignments in my own way and at my on pace. I personally like the on-line sessions and hope we continue them.

Class Activity

Activity
How to Search a Crime Scene –Using the Grid Search Pattern

During my fourth period, I went over the five different search patterns with my students. First, I showed the class a power point on the five different search patterns. Then, I divided and set up the class into four precincts. I gave each precinct a tape measure, crime scene tape, and a clip board to be used in conducting a grid search of four different areas. The areas were located outside on school grounds. I gave each of the four precincts a different area to cover. The class’s object was to conduct a search of a 12x10 foot area. Each precinct was to locate any evidence they could find. The students would then indicate the location of the evidence found on a grid drawing of the scene. This activity was working great the first day because the weather was perfect for this type of activity outside. On the second day, the weather did not cooperate with the activity since it was cold and windy. The wind made it difficult to tie the evidence tape to the stakes needed to make the 12x10 foot area for the search grids. The students did a great job and suffered through the weather to complete their assignment. This activity is not recommended in the classroom due to the area needed to setup the grid search.